Link-forming device



May 24, 1927.

w. F. WEMLINGER LINK FORMING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1firm mag May 24,1927.

w. F. WEMLINGER LINK FORMING DEVICE Filed June 2. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2e W. F n Emlinyez' ing devices.

Patented May 24, 1927.

' UNITE-D. s-TA'TEsfPAT T" OFFICE v WILLIAM F. wEMLrneEn," or: oeLnviBUs, onto, assreivon or' ONE-THIRD To LEO V BAUER AND onnrrrrnn'roJE'rHRo BELLINGHAM, BOTH or COLUMBUS, 1110.

LINK-FORMING DEVICE.

Application filed June. 2, 1924. 'Serial .No. 717,305.-

My invention relates to chain link'form- An object of my invention is toprovide a device of this character which greatly simplifies the formingof the links more especially those used in making up large chains andthus brings about a great saving in time and labor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which by a single simple operation converts the heated bar ofstock into a completely formed link. V r v A still further object of myinvention is to provide a'device of this character capable of forminglinks from stock of large or small diameter.

Vith these and other objects in view as will become apparent as thedescription proceeds my invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction, combinations of elements and arrangements of partshereinafter to be fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved link forming device, Figure2 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is aview similar to Fig. 1 showing the link in the process offormation,

Figure 4 is a similar viewv showing the link completely formed,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the link former showing the manner inwhich the link is removed therefrom,

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4,'and Figure 7 is a similar view showing the means for clamping stock ofsmaller diameter. i

Referring more in detail to the drawing in which similar referencenumerals indicate similar parts throughout the several block'trespectively project the arms 5 and 6 which have their adjacent sidesparallel and spaced apart. a distance approximately equal to thediameter of the largest stock 7 to be bent by the device.

forming block 1. From the plate 3 and coincide for a short distance asat 8. bar of stock 7 is bent in a manner herein- As it is desired in theforming of the links I that'they should not be completely closed theperipheries of the block t and plate 3 The after to be described aroundthe edge 9 of the block 4' and its opposite ends lie adjacent theportions 10 and 11 of said edge when fully formed. A partof the arm 6extends past the edge 9 as at 12 and aids in holding the bar 4' inposition.

The'clamping lever 13 which ispivotally mountedb'etween the armsb and 6is serrated I and irregularly curved at its. lower end 14 to engageandhold the stock 7 firmly in position against th'e'pl'ate 3. It is to benoted in this connection that when the stock 7 is engaged by the lever13 the tendency of the stockto full outin the link formingprocess'serves to bind it tighter owing to the curvature of the end 14.

When stock is to be formed which is so small as not to be engaged by thelever 13 the spacing block 13 is secured in position,

between arms 5 and 6 by pin 14, which is inserted in an aperture in themember 1, and serves to make the lever 13 effective.

The top surface of the block 4, is recessed as at 15 (best shown inFigure 5' of the drawing) to permit easy removal of the stock 7 whencompletely formed. I

Wheel '16 grooved as at 17 to engage the stock 7 is forced by a constantpressure toward the member 1 in any desired manner. I have shown thewheel 16 i as rotatably mounted at the end of the piston 18 movable incylinder 19 in which a constant pressure is maintained but it is ofcourse obvious that the desired pressure of the wheel might be obtainedin many other wellknown ways.

The wheel 16 is so arranged that the 4 flange 20 thereof is continuallyin engage ment with the edge 21 of the plate 3. This arrangement isessential tothe proper operation of the device as the stock is fed tothe machine while very hot and consequently is quite soft and if thewheel were not spaced from'the block 4 the stock would be crushed atpoints and a poor link would result.

After the stock is formed the wheel 16 is cammed by the revolving member1 into the no obstruction to the removal of the formed iii link andinsertion of another bar of stock 7 to be formed.

In the operation of my device with the parts in the position shown inFig. 1, a heated bar of stock 7 is placed in the former so that itengages the edge 10 and is clamped securely by the lever 13. The shaft 2which is under the control of the operator is'caused to rotate and thestock 7 is forced to take the form of the outer edge 9 of the formingblock a as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. Obviouslyafter the link is formed the continued rotation of shaft 2 causes theparts to take the position shown in Fig. 1 and while in this positionthe formed link is removed (as shown in Fig. 5) and another bar 7inserted.

lVhile I have illustrated my invention in but one specific embodimentthereof, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it issusceptible of various -minor changes and modifications Withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that onlysuch restrictions shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the priorart or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A link former comprising a'rotatable body having an offset formingshoulder of irregular peripheral contour provided on the Working facethereof, said shoulder being arranged Within the marginal limits of saidbody to provide a backing flange on'said face, clamping means forsecuring one end of the stock to be 1 bent adjacent to said shoulder, aguide engaging said former to force the stock into shaping relation withsaid shoulder upon rotation of the body, there being a stop releasingrecess provided in said face and enteing said shoulder to facilitateremoval of a formed link therefrom. r

A link former comprising a rotatable body having an ofl'set formingshoulder of irregular peripheral contour provided on the working facethereof and arranged within the marginal limits of said face, a pairofspaced arm's provided on said body, a clampinglever pivoted to said armsand adapted to engage one end'of the stock to be bent that is placedbetween said arms, a guide engaging the former peripherally to force thestock into shaping relation with said shoulder upon rotation of theformer, there being an arcuate recess provided in the face of saidformer and entering said shoulder at opposite ends thereof to facilitatethe removal of a formed link from said body.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM F. lVEMLINGER.

